U-M to conduct clinical trial to test AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

Author | Kelly Malcom

Michigan Medicine is partnering with the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca for a Phase 3 clinical trial to test a vaccine against COVID-19. The AZD1222 COVID-19 VACCINE Study will research an investigational vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

The study will look at how well the investigational vaccine works and how safe it is. U-M will begin recruiting hundreds of participants for the trial immediately, until the trial is full. U-M is one of several U.S. sites supporting the AstraZeneca trial, with the aim of including 30,000 individuals over a period of two years.

“The importance of a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19 cannot be overstated. The AstraZeneca Phase III trial will bring answers as to the effectiveness of this vaccine. At the end of the day, this kind of rigorous clinical trial with the commitment of Michigan Medicine and other study sites to safety will be a key step in realizing a vaccine that will save lives when one is developed,” says Marschall Runge, M.D., Ph.D., Dean, U-M Medical School, Executive Vice President, Medical Affairs and CEO, Michigan Medicine.

The AstraZeneca trial is one of several vaccine trials being funded through a public/private partnership under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services called Operation Warp Speed. It is designed to accelerate the development of a life-saving vaccine to prevent COVID-19, while maintaining standards for safety and efficacy.

“We are proud to advance the University of Michigan's outstanding legacy of excellence in vaccine trials with this important clinical trial partnership. We hope one day soon to be able to announce a successful vaccine against COVID-19 and save lives,” says Mark Schlissel, M.D., Ph.D., president of the University of Michigan.

Phase I/II trials of the vaccine in more than 1000 people were completed earlier this year and demonstrated increased antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 and no serious adverse effects.

For more information about the study, visit https://www.uofmhealth.org/covid19-vaccine or email [email protected].
Media Contact Public Relations

Department of Communication at Michigan Medicine

[email protected]

734-764-2220

Featured News & Stories Health Lab Podcast in brackets with a background with a dark blue translucent layers over cells
Health Lab Podcast
It’s back to school season for viruses too
What to know about the uptick in B19 and other respiratory illnesses expected to have a comeback in colder seasons.
Health Lab
Should you get a PSA screening for prostate cancer?
After a hotly contested study citing a spike in advanced prostate cancer, the discussion over declining use of a preventive test has been renewed.
 image of people in green yellow pale blue and pink getting vaccines and out and about
Health Lab
Vaccines: A few minutes now could spare you misery later
Adults, especially people over 50, should get immunized against COVID-19, flu and other infections, to prevent fall and winter illness, hospitalization and worse
 microscope
Health Lab
Antibody targeting CD38 enzyme shows positive impact in treating systemic sclerosis
Using the Ab38 antibody to target the CD38 enzyme could be a new gateway to treat and prevent fibrosis for patients with systemic sclerosis.
 Colorful illustration of a head in profile. The head is made out of various geometric shapes that appear to be tied together with string. A large bandaid appears on top. Tiny physicians are positioned around it, trying to hold it up and together.
Medicine at Michigan
Is it fixable?
Burnout, which was once considered a personal problem, is now coming to be seen as a common occupational hazard for physicians. That shift has had a major effect on workplace well-being initiatives, medical education, and how the next generation of physicians understands the profession.
 Shay Dean is wearing a gray suit. He's standing outside, surrounded by greenery. He's smiling at the camera and holding up his right hand in a peace sign.
Medicine at Michigan
What happens if you don’t match?
How one alum got past the hurdle of not matching to find success.